Header Right

Archives for June 2016

Sign up for the Hoye Wayelo (“I Am Sending A Voice”) Summer Arts Program now! Registration form is attached. Contact us via email info@mitakuyefoundation.com or via FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/Mitakupi/ with any questions or for help signing up.

The Sacred Hoop 500 Mile Prayer Run was a great success this year! Over 100 runners, 500 miles, and countless prayers! We even had an extra rest day at Devil’s Tower! It is such a beautiful and empowering experience for the youth and for all of the adults who come to support. We will double down on fundraising efforts next year so even more families can participate!

We are deeply grateful to the Metabolic Studio for their matching grant to support the Hoye Wayelo Summer Arts Program!! Their deep commitment to art and to First Nations peoples is inspiring. Lela Wopila Lauren Bon and Metabolic Studio!!

Grand Prize Darcy Hamilton Age 18

This was an extremely close race. The top four submissions all displayed great skill and In the end Darcy’s submission won because of the creative interpretation of the theme.

“Darcy’s tremendous skill is evident. The work is very clean, streamline, and sophisticated. The lettering style is elegant and the representation of earth is very succinctly rendered. Most compelling is the motif of the birds merging into the feather and merging back out again. It is a unique and captivating vision. The juxtaposition of movement and the asymmetry of the feather with the fixed nature of the sphere and the placement of the lettering gives the work dimension and an unexpected sense of balance. The simplicity of the elements makes the unique motif stand out even more. It has movement and grace and mystery. Darcy uses some traditional elements in a very unique way. This is a beautifully executed and very creative piece.”

First Place With Honors Denato Two Bulls Age 15

“Denato’s work demonstrates great ability and the interpretation of the theme is so creative. Denato uses the negative space beautifully to draw the eye in to the central theme of the work. The lettering frames the work in an asymmetrical way that is very effective. The central design has depth in the use of foreground/background and the sparse / selective use of colors is highly effective. It is a super creative take on a traditional motif. A beautiful blending of very traditional elements with clean lines and open space and a very conscious use of color. It gives off a feeling of purity and beauty.”

First Place With Honors Bailly Her Many Horses Age 14

“Bailly’s submission grabbed us all right away. It is so creative on so many levels. It deals with both the theme of Earth and the theme from March for a poster design for the Lifeline. All of the elements are skillfully rendered and the underlying idea is beautifully mirrored in the drawing. Bailly has woven together many elements on many planes very seamlessly in a way that draws the viewers eye in. There is movement and drama and striking use of color all in a very small space. Beautifully done!”

First Place Makana Little Sky Age 10

“Makana is developing a real sense of his own style and his characters. His work has a lightness and sense of humor and he is honing skills as both a visual artist and a story teller! He is creating original characters that are unique. He is really beginning to develop his own voice and we are excited to see how he continues to experiment with his ideas!”

Honorable Mention Rossey Long Age 13

Rossey’s drawing is grounded and skillful. The earthy ruggedness of the skull is a wonderful interpretation of this month’s theme. It is a singular focused statement that speaks of earth.

Honorable Mention Mitchel Crow Age 17

“Mitchel’s submission is a great spin on a traditional theme. His composition, use of color and hand lettering are all very eye catching and creative.”

Honorable Mention Ryan Two Lance Age 18

“Ryan’s idea is really captivating. It is very original and creative. The merging of the medicine wheel and the earth. The animal nations living within it and the tree nation above all resting in a traditional hand. So many creative elements. We would love to see this develop even more.”

Honorable Mention Breiana High Wolf Age 11

This is Breiana’s third submission and third award! She has experimented with oil pastels and continues to develop her style which includes simple, clean designs and great sense of color with thoughtful ideas. Her work evokes a feeling of purity and innocence. We look forward to seeing her continue to experiment with new ideas and mediums.”

Honorable Mention Tina Bear Nose Age 11

“This is Tina’s third submission for us and we have seen her grow and try new things each time. Tina has a great sense of color and uses it beautifully in very subtle and effective ways. There is a lot of attention to detail in her drawing and the many layers of imagery from the clouds and high snow peaked mountain tops, to the lake and distant trees,down through the waters and ground below give a sense of the wonder and beauty of Earth. A beautiful interpretation of this month’s theme and a great advance in her artwork. Her effort is really paying off!”

Honorable Mention Taliah Standing Soldier Age 10

This is Taliah’s second submission for us and her second win. She has a soft and impressionistic style and use of color that is distinctive. The ideas in her text mirror the ideas in her drawing and she is able to combine visual and written ideas to make impactful statements. We want to see her develop this drawing more fully for an even more impactful effect.”

Merit Ciara Mesteth 10

“Ciara’s drawing shows a lot of creativity and detail. Nice use of color choice and many layers of visuals including the birds and flowers. Very creative idea of using the earth as the tree. Good work!”

Merit Jeremy Andrews 11

“Jeremy has a very consistent style that is bold and clean. He uses very saturated colors and geometrical shapes that make a strong statement. This is Jeremy’s third submission and he is engaging new ideas every time he submits. Great work!”

Merit Sequoia Good Crow 10

“Sequoia has a great eye for color and shape. He has several themes he likes to work with like the tipi and the medicine wheel – and he finds new and interesting ways to incorporate them into his work. Sequoia has strong skills and we look forward to seeing him experiment with new ideas.”

Our deepest thanks to the Sprague Guibord Family Foundation for their generous grant to support the Hoye Wayelo Summer Arts Program! We can’t do what we do without generous organizations like this. Wopila!!!

Rick Gray Grass will lead the Annual 500 Mile Sacred Hoop Prayer Run, June 19-25. The event takes over 100 kids on a 6 day prayer run through the Black Hills to reconnect them with their culture, land and history. It teaches youth to turn to their traditions instead of drugs, alcohol and harmful behavior.

The Hoye Wayelo (“I am Sending a Voice”) Summer Arts intensives, July 5-16 will serve youth all over Pine Ridge. Professional artists from across the country will teach intensives in film, dance, music, visual arts, and writing/story telling. The two week workshops will culminate in a group spoken-word music video project that kids will be a part of both in front of and behind the camera. There will also be a public exhibition of their work for their families and communities. Details are below – register now!

And our Monthly Art Contest will be running throughout the summer as well! New themes are announced at the beginning of each month!

It was a very hard year for Lakota kids. With over 25 youth suicides and averages of 150 attempts per month we have been urgently working on creating opportunities for them. Experiences like these can help to lift one up out of the daily task of survival. These kids deserve the same opportunities that everyone else in this country have. They deserve to not just survive but to blossom and thrive. We are committed to creating every opportunity we can for them to do just that. We hope you will help!